1.Heard Mr. Bandodkar, for the appellants in all the appeals and Mr. Godinho for the respondents in First Appeals No. 87/2002 and 101/2002. None for the respondents in First Appeal Nos. 80/2002, 97/2002, 98/2002, 100/2002 and 102/2002.

2. All these appeals are being disposed of by common judgment, since the appeals are preferred against the judgments and awards passed in the land acquisition cases arising out of the same Notification issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (“the Act” for short) and admittedly, the nature of the properties involved in all these appeals is also identical.

3. By Notification, issued under Section 4 of the Act, which was published in the Official Gazette on 9th August, 1995, the Government acquired lands of several persons, including those of respondents for public purpose. The respondents claimed Rs.1,000/- per sq. metre. The Land Acquisition Officer made an award on 13th September, 1996, awarding compensation at the rate of Rs.25/- per sq. metre. Aggrieved by the inadequacy of the compensation granted, the respondents herein sought reference under Section 18 of the Act, the details of which are as follows :

LAC No. Survey